Mancat Mardi Gras or Pawtie Gras. Hellooo, my lovelies. The entire gang is here with a wee bit of history before the pawtie begins.
You probably know that Mardi Gras is Fat Tuesday in French? But did you know Mardi Gras is called Carnevale in Italy and Brazil or Karnevale in Germany. Carne means meat and that means 40 days of Lent without meat. Oh, I don’t think we’ll be following that tradition. Cats are obligate carnevores and need meat. Here’s another meaty tidbit. See that bird mask I’m wearing? The Medico della Peste or plaque doctor dates back to Venice during the plague. Doctors protected themselves from their patients with the hollow beak stuffed with herbs to avoid smelling the foul air or should I say fowl, tee hee.
So laissez les bon temps rouler, let the good times roll. Happy Mardi Gras Pawtie Gras!
It’s the last day of indulgence before Ash Wednesday and Lent. In the the U.K. Fat Tuesday is called Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day named after the act of “shriving” meant to prepare someone for penance, or to repent or confess. In Ireland, Australia, and Canada, Shrove Tuesday is known as “Pancake Tuesday” Pancakes are eaten to use up milk and eggs, which are not eaten during Lent, and would spoil during this period.
In Iceland the day is known as “Sprengidagur” (Bursting day) and celebrated with eating of salt meat and peas. In Estonia it is called Vastlapäev, families go sledding and eat split pea and ham soup.
I like that idea of full to bursting day. No, we won’t be giving up a thing and have nothing to confess. We’re cats and may have secrets but that suits us fine. What about you? Are you giving up something for Lent?
You all look cute!!!
Nope we don’t *do* Lent stuff either, MOL!
Your Krew sure looks great in their masks. We hope you had an awesome Mardi Gras celebration!
We love the pics and all of the furbulous facts! We like learning new things.
Luvs to all
Skeeter and Izzy
Oh I wish we had such fab events too… although the name is french, today happens nothing here… maybe I should start to wear a mask and then the french peeps will remember that day?
Oh, I’d love to see you in a mask!
I won’t be giving up anything but the peeps do give up what little meat they eat. LOVE your graphics and thanks for the Mardi Gras facts. We never knew a lot of them. TW almost went down once.
Tell TW another fact: the first Mardi Gras in the U.S. wasn’t in New Orleans but 60 miles away!
You all look so ready for Mardi Gras!
Here we have a large Polish community and Fat Tuesday is also known as Paczki Day (pronounced punch-key). Paczki are big fat jelly or custard filled donuts. About 1000 calories in one. So we’ll be eating paczki until we burst. 🙂
That sounds delish!
Wow, These are incredible!!!!!
Thanks for all the beaut-ay!
I always give up chocolate for Lent.
Oh that’s a tough one!
I love your masks very pretty! Hubby celebrates Lent, I have no clue what he is giving up. I celebrate with him especially fish on Fridays.
Enjoy the day!
The CAT KREW looks mighty fine in their masks! PAWTY HEARTY!
Love, Angel Sammy and Teddy
That’s cool. You can have pancakes with maple syrup!
My human and I will be in Vancouver for Mardi Gras! I don’t think it’s celebrated much there, but we will be having a nice time anyhow.